HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2692

BYRepresentatives Cooper, Moyer, Sayan, Brooks, K. Wilson, Ferguson, Youngsman, Jacobsen, Rector, Doty, H. Myers, Todd, Scott and Sprenkle

Providing for supported employment.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sayan, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:Dave Knutson (786-7146)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Washington supported employment initiative has promoted employment opportunities for disabled persons through a federal grant for the past five years.  The federal support for promoting supported employment is ending.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Department of Social and Health Services is required to contract with a not-for-profit organization to promote supported employment opportunities.  The organization will provide training and education to enable people with disabilities to experience work employment and related community activities.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  It is clarified that the nonprofit organization receiving funds under this act will promote, rather than provide, supported employment.

Appropriation:    $300,000 to the Department of Social and Health Services.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jane Boone, Washington Association of County Human Services; Candace O'Neill; Carla Jackson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Jeanne Munro, Department of Social and Health Services; Ray Jensen, King County Human Services; Pat Thibadeau, Washington Community Mental Health; John Lund, Vadis Northwest.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Washington Supported Employment Initiative has successfully promoted greater economic independence for disabled people.  It is an important program which should be continued.  The state should continue the program after federal funding ends in September 1990.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.